Texoma grass-fed and finished beef

Aird M’hor Ranches grass-feeds and finishes cattle. There are many terms used for grass-fed beef such as: free-range, grass-fed, grass-finished, naturally grown, and organic. Generally speaking, these terms have various and differing definitions, or are used indiscriminately by producers. Our 100 acres are a mix of different grasses and legumes (including alfalfa and clovers) which are what nature intended for cattle. We never use grain to feed or finish our beef. When we say our beef is grass-fed and finished (grass-fed doesn’t mean grass-finished), we mean that we will never use any feeds other than our Texoma grasses and legumes. In addition, no growth hormones are used – ever. We vaccinate our cattle when they are young to prevent disease.

We treat our cattle as nature intended. This treatment means low stress which comes from allowing all our cattle to graze and roam freely on our pastures, with minimal interaction from us on a day-to-day basis. The low stress environment contributes to the cattle’s natural health and well-being, and optimizes their chances for growth. Our special care provides Red River Beef with Texoma’s natural beef.

A note about feedlots: In an effort to produce the most beef, in the shortest time, for the least cost, the feedlot industry was created to meet consumer demand for beef. In the process, the consumer lost quality, and sadly, health, as well. These problems come in two principle forms.

Secondly, feedlots, by their nature create an unhealthy environment for cattle. Crowding thousands of cattle in small spaces creates stress and a breeding ground for disease. For instance, because grain acidifies the intestinal tract, grain-fed beef are more susceptible to E. Coli infections, liver ailments, and respiratory infections.

To combat these problems, the industry applies significant doses of growth hormones to accelerate the weight gain process, both to reduce the chance of disease, and to reduce costs. In addition, they apply large doses of antibiotics to address the cattle’s degraded immune system.

Unhealthy cattle make for unhealthy consumers. Feedlots are not good for cattle, and now we know that such industrial practices contribute to disease which can threaten the consumer – reference E. Coli and mad cow disease. Our grass-fed practices insure against those threats.